Two separate agencies serve the St. Louis area, and which one handles your case depends on where you live

The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) serves only the city of St. Louis proper. The St. Louis County Housing Authority (SLCHA) serves unincorporated St. Louis County and some incorporated municipalities within the county. If you live in the city, you work with SLHA. If you live in the county outside the city limits, you work with SLCHA. The two agencies operate separately, maintain their own waiting lists, and have different office locations and phone numbers.

Both agencies administer the same federal programs — mainly Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing — but they do not share applications or transfer cases between them. If you move from the city to the county or vice versa, you must explore to the new authority. Neither authority can tell you whether the other has an opening or move you to their list.

Key Takeaways

  • St. Louis Housing Authority serves the city of St. Louis; St. Louis County Housing Authority serves the county outside city limits — determine which one covers your address before contacting either.
  • Both run Housing Choice Voucher programs and public housing, but they maintain separate waiting lists and do not transfer applications between them.
  • SLHA's main office is at 4747 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63108; SLCHA's main office is at 8101 Maryland Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105.
  • Waiting lists for both agencies are often closed, and reopening dates are not announced in advance — contact your local authority directly to learn current status.
  • Both agencies require proof of income, residency, and citizenship or legal immigration status to be considered for housing programs.

St. Louis Housing Authority (city of St. Louis)

SLHA operates public housing units and administers Housing Choice Vouchers within the city limits. The agency owns and manages apartment buildings and also issues vouchers that tenants can use to rent from private landlords. Public housing units are owned by SLHA; voucher holders rent from private owners and SLHA pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord.

To reach SLHA, call 314-286-6000 or visit their office at 4747 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63108. You can also visit their website at slha.org. The agency's waiting list for both public housing and vouchers is frequently closed. When it reopens, SLHA typically announces it through local media and their website, but there is no set schedule. The only way to know if the list is currently open is to call or visit in person.

SLHA processes applications on a first-come, first-served basis when the list is open. Once you are on the waiting list, you may wait months or years before being contacted. The length of the wait depends on the type of housing you request, your family size, and current demand.

St. Louis County Housing Authority (unincorporated county and select municipalities)

SLCHA serves unincorporated areas of St. Louis County and several incorporated municipalities that have contracted with the authority to administer their housing programs. Like SLHA, SLCHA runs both public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs. If you are unsure whether your address falls under SLCHA's jurisdiction, call them before explore.

SLCHA's main office is located at 8101 Maryland Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105. You can reach them at 314-889-3600 or visit their website at slcha.org. Like SLHA, SLCHA's waiting lists are often closed. The authority does not announce reopening dates in advance. Contact them directly to find out whether applications are currently being accepted.

SLCHA also processes applications on a first-come, first-served basis when accepting new applicants. Wait times vary based on program type and current demand. The authority may prioritize applicants with certain circumstances, such as homelessness or disability, but this varies by program.

Documents you will need for either authority

Both SLHA and SLCHA require the same basic documentation to process your process. You will need to provide proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of residency (a utility bill or lease in your name), and proof of citizenship or legal immigration status (a birth certificate, passport, green card, or work permit). If you receive benefits, bring documentation from the benefit program.

You will also need to provide identification for all household members and information about any previous housing or evictions. Both agencies conduct background checks and may deny housing based on criminal history or prior lease violations. The specific criteria vary, so ask the authority what will disqualify you before you submit your process.

Bring originals or certified copies of documents when you explore in person. Do not send originals by mail. If you cannot obtain a required document, ask the authority whether they will accept an alternative or a written explanation of why you cannot provide it.

Housing Choice Vouchers versus public housing

Both authorities offer two main types of housing. Public housing means you rent an apartment owned and managed by the authority. The authority sets the rent, which is based on your income (typically 30 percent of your monthly income). You sign a lease with the authority, not a private landlord. Public housing units are concentrated in specific neighborhoods, and you have limited choice about location.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) mean you find a rental unit from a private landlord and the authority pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. You pay the remainder. The voucher amount is set by the authority based on the local market rent for your unit size. You have more choice about where to live, but you must find a landlord willing to accept the voucher, and the unit must pass an inspection. Voucher holders typically wait longer than public housing applicants because demand is higher.

Both programs require you to be on a waiting list. You cannot choose which program you want; the authority places you based on availability and your circumstances. Some applicants are offered public housing first; others may be offered a voucher. You can decline an offer and remain on the list, but declining may affect your position.

What happens after you are placed on a waiting list

Once your process is accepted and you are added to the waiting list, the authority will contact you when housing becomes available. This contact may come by phone, mail, or email — the authority will use the contact information you provided on your process. It is your responsibility to keep your contact information current. If the authority cannot reach you, they may move to the next person on the list.

When you are offered housing, you will have a limited time to respond — usually 24 to 48 hours. If you decline the offer, you remain on the list but may move down in priority. If you accept, you will be scheduled for an orientation and lease signing. The entire process from offer to move-in typically takes two to four weeks.

While you are on the waiting list, your circumstances may change. Both authorities require you to report changes in income, household composition, or address. Failure to report changes can result in removal from the list or denial of housing.

Income limits and rent calculations

Both SLHA and SLCHA have income limits based on family size and area median income. These limits change annually. For the most current limits, contact the authority directly — they are not published on a single website and vary by program. Generally, a family of four in the St. Louis area must have income below approximately 50 to 60 percent of area median income to be considered, but this figure changes yearly and depends on the specific program.

If you are placed in public housing, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with a minimum rent (usually $50 to $100 per month). If your income changes, your rent changes. The authority will recalculate your rent annually or when you report a significant change in income.

If you receive a Housing Choice Voucher, the authority pays the difference between 30 percent of your income and the voucher amount. If your income increases, your portion of the rent increases. If your income decreases, your portion decreases. The voucher amount itself does not change based on your income — it is set by the authority based on the rental market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I live in the city or the county?

St. Louis city is independent from St. Louis County. If your address includes "St. Louis, MO" as the city, you are in the city and should contact SLHA. If your address shows an unincorporated area or a different municipality name (like Clayton, Webster Groves, or Kirkwood), you are likely in the county and should contact SLCHA. When in doubt, call both agencies with your address and they will tell you which one serves you.

Can I be on the waiting list for both SLHA and SLCHA at the same time?

Yes, you can explore to both authorities if you are willing to move to either the city or the county. However, you must submit separate applications to each agency. Being on both lists does not speed up the process — you will wait for whichever authority offers housing first. If you accept housing from one authority, you should notify the other to remove yourself from their list.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

Both authorities conduct background checks that include eviction history. A past eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but it may. Each authority has its own policy on how far back they look and what circumstances they consider. Contact the authority you are explore to and ask about their eviction policy before you submit your process. Some authorities will consider your process if enough time has passed or if you can explain the circumstances.

How long does it take to hear back after I explore?

If the waiting list is open when you explore, you will be added to the list when ready or within a few days. You will then wait for housing to become available, which can take months or years. The authority will contact you when an opening matches your household size and preferences. There is no set timeline — it depends entirely on how many people are ahead of you and how quickly units become available.

What if I move after I am on the waiting list?

If you move within the same authority's service area (for example, within the city or within the county), notify the authority of your new address when ready. If you move to a different authority's service area (from the city to the county or vice versa), you must explore to the new authority. Your time on the old list does not transfer. You will start over as a new applicant with the new authority.